Landmine survivor writes book on overcoming crisis

Monday

Jun 23, 2008 at 12:01 AMJun 23, 2008 at 11:15 PM

Jerry White, a Cohasset native, has harnessed his life experience as a survivor of a landmine explosion and the stories of hundreds of other survivors of all different types of tragedy around the world to write a book, “I Will Not Be Broken: Five Steps to Overcoming a Life Crisis.”

Nancy White

When Jerry White, then a college junior, stepped on a landmine in Israel, he lost a part of his right leg. But, what he gained was a life’s purpose and the strength to help others.

White, a Cohasset native, has harnessed his life experience as a survivor of a landmine explosion and the stories of hundreds of other survivors of all different types of tragedy around the world to write a book, “I Will Not Be Broken: Five Steps to Overcoming a Life Crisis.”

“I have met so many victims of tragedy who not only survive, but grow stronger and thrive,” said White. His book is a recipe for overcoming adversity in one’s life — no matter what form it takes. Through his work with Survivor Corps he has found the keys to living well after tragedy to be similar across borders, cultures and no matter if the tragedy was a cancer diagnosis or war.

In his book, he shows there is a way back to hope and fulfillment after tragedy.

“The power of the human spirit is the most inspiring,” said White.

Back in his hometown to visit his mother Mimi White of Sheldon Road, White signed books and talked to residents at an event this past weekend.

The book goes hand in hand with White’s ongoing and tireless efforts to unite survivors around the world through Survivor Corps, an organization he founded and serves as executive director. The net proceeds of the book will go to Survivor Corps efforts around the globe.

White said “life is a landmine,” it is impossible to predict when or what life will throw at us.

“Everyone has an explosive moment,” said White, a moment where everything changes and it could happen at any time. For some, it’s the day they learn they can’t have children. For others, it is the moment the war begins. Or the hurricane hits. For White, it was the second a landmine ripped through his leg while hiking through Israel with college friends.

White’s ““I Will Not Be Broken” weaves in his own story of survivorship with true stories of survivors from across the world.

He hopes readers will take in the stories and be inspired by them. “I want them to think, if these survivors can do what they are doing, perhaps I, too, can overcome my particular problem.”

White said the survivors’ stories he talked to for the book all have some distance from their tragedy allowing them to have a perspective on the “explosive moment” that changed their lives. White says the years between gives survivors a sense of where they were and how they have gotten to right now.

Although White does not make light of the survivors’ worst time, he chooses to focus on what happens after the very worst.

“Violence and war don’t seem to be abating, the question always is how do we respond,” said White, offering staggering statistics including there has been 250 major conflicts since World War II, 40 wars are raging right now and more than 80 million in 80 countries have been victims of armed conflict, genocide, torture and terror.

Despite the terrible events, refusing to stay a victim is essential, White says.

“The Survivor’s Pledge is ‘I will not be a victim, I will rise above, I will give back to the community and I will change the world, including my own,’” said White. Victims of the Holocaust, genocide, systematic rape, refugees are among those who have taken the pledge and followed through.

The essence of “I Will Not Be Broken” coincides with White’s on-going work with Survivor Corps.

“It’s how to teach people not to get stuck in the past, but to look to the future and lead happy and peaceful lives,” said White. By sharing stories of survivorship in his book, White hopes to further the global network of survivors.

The vision of Survivor Corps is to enable a victim-free world where survivors of inhumanity and violence triumph over tragedy. To enable a world where thousands and then millions of injured people are rebuilding their lives and thriving as leaders in their own communities, raising their voices for peace.

Survivor Corps has created a global network of people helping each other to overcome war and violence. By working together they aim to rise above injuries and give back to the community. They have trained survivor leaders in more than 40 war-torn countries.

What started in the mid-1990s as Landmine Survivors Network has grown and made great strides toward a landmine-free world. The group worked with the late Princess Diana and shared in the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. Stockpiled landmines in the tens of millions have been destroyed. The landmine casualty rate has gone down dramatically since the 1990s from an annual death toll of 30,000 deaths to a number between 5,000 and 10,000. A total of 150 countries, notably not the United States, have signed a treaty to ban anti-personnel landmines.

“Our first vision was to enable a mine-free world and we are on our way,” said White.

Along the way the common thread in talking to landmine survivors was losing a limb was not the hardest struggle; it was losing their place in the world. Over 650 million people around the world have a disability, 500 million of those have no legal rights — the majority end up abused and living in poverty.

Survivor Corps was born to promote a barrier-free world. On that front, they have made significant strides, said White. Last month the Rights of People with Disabilities — the most comprehensive human rights treaty ever negotiated was entered into international law by the United Nations.

In the US, Survivor Corps is beginning a new effort to help veterans coming home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan struggling to re-integrate into society. Some war wounds are visible, like the 30,000 physically wounded, but many of the soldiers’ wounds are invisible. Survivor Corps is creating a national network of veterans to connect people to each other and to the professional help they need.

“I like to think this is one of Cohasset’s reaches into the world. I’ve always been grateful for the hometown support and I encourage people to get involved,” said White.

To find out more about Survivor Corps, visit www.survivorcorps.org. To find out more about “I Will Not Be Broken,” visit www.iwillnotbebroken.com.

Jerry White’s five steps to overcoming a life crisis:

Face Facts: However difficult, accept the harsh reality about suffering and loss. Choose life: Hope for a better future Reach out: It takes a village to recover. Get moving: We are required to act. It’s about movement, and nothing gets done without it. Give back: The secret ingredient. Find meaning in service.